16 Tips for a Better Job Search – Part 1

The job search is a process each of us goes through several times in our working life. Very few start and end with the same job throughout their life. As of July 2012, the U.S. reported an 8.3 percent unemployment rate, indicating that many people today are still looking for a job.

If you are one of those that are currently looking for a job, do not despair. Here are some tips to guide you on your job search.

1.No one owes you a job. You have to go out and look for it.

As a job seeker, probably the most important thing to know is that you are not entitled to have a job. Even if you have the right set of skills and experiences to do job, this doesn’t mean that job offers will fall right into your lap. To get a job, you need to put in the effort and make it happen.

2.Your success is directly proportional to your effort.

Some people say that you work smarter instead of working harder. To some extent this may probably be true, but why not get the best of both worlds and work smart while working hard? This way, you will greatly increase your chances of success in your job search.

3.Be willing to change your strategy.

Sometimes when you haven’t been in the job market for a long time, there is a tendency to stick with the strategy you used to get hired for your last job because it worked. There is nothing wrong with sticking with your proven strategy, but you also need to have an open mind. Let yourself be open to the possibility that what worked in the past may not work today. So, if you are looking for a job today and several companies have already turned you down, take a look at what you are doing and what you can change to get hired for your next interview.

4.Ask successful job hunters what they did.

There is no better resource than current employees for tips on how to get hired at a particular company. If you know someone who is currently employed within a company you want to work for, it will give you a big advantage if you can ask the person what tips he or she can give you.

5.Think of the job search as a full-time job.

Whenever you’re on a job search, it is important to have the right mindset. The right mindset is to think of what you’re doing as your full-time job. Establish a fixed schedule for your job search. An organized schedule will help you to avoid stressing yourself out with your job search. You will have enough time for everything you need to do, and won’t go around in circles without accomplishing anything.

6.Persistence is the name of the game.

You need to understand that there are things a job seeker can’t control. This is where you need to be persistent; do not take the attitude that if you send 20 job applications you will get at least get 2 to 3 responses. Do not stop searching for jobs until the end of your scheduled time.

7.You will not find the same exact job you had before, so redefine yourself.

Every company has its own culture and set of rules. When you start looking for a new job, you should not look for your previous job; you need to move on and continue to redefine yourself as you look toward the new challenges ahead of you.

Everyone goes through the job search process. For some it will only take a few days, but it may also take a few weeks or months. Following the tips above will help you adopt the right mindset so that you can do better in your job search. When the job search goes well and you are finally getting interviews, do your research, prepare for the interview, and get that job!